Ben MackieFeb 17, 20212 minTPWC Logo CompetitionWe had great fun running a competition with a local school - to design a logo for us. The winner raised £250 for their school, and...
Ben MackieFeb 17, 20214 minWhy the building owner shouldn’t settle the adjoining owner’s party wall surveyor’s feesIn relations to surveyor’s fees, ‘The Law and Practice of Party Walls’ (Bickford-Smith et al 4th edition) states that, ‘no principles are...
Ben MackieFeb 17, 20216 minThe party wall surveyor 'impartiality' mythThe Party Wall Act is rife with surveyors who claim to act impartially, yet unwittingly, often do anything but. There is a general...
Ben MackieJan 13, 20216 minThe failure of the ‘agreed surveyor’ appointment‘It was the government’s intention that an agreed surveyor should be used whenever possible.’ (Frame 2010). The resolution of a dispute...
Ben MackieJan 12, 20214 minThe Party Wall etc. Act 1996: Intention vs RealityThe intention of the Act, and the actions of those who administer it, are two very different things. This article looks at the intention...
Ben MackieJan 12, 20212 minDealing with difficult neighbours: claiming they didn’t receive a notice or award etc.When serving a notice relating to the Party Wall etc. Act 1996, it can be incredibly frustrating when a neighbour states he hasn’t...
Ben MackieJan 12, 20214 minGreat things party wall surveyors do, which often go unnoticed….This article looks at the good things party wall surveyors can do, to reduce disputes, maintain neighbourly relations, and ensuring...
Ben MackieJan 10, 202128 minIs the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 effective?Contents: Abstract 1.0 Introduction 1.1 A brief overview of the Act 1.2 The Background to the Problem 1.3 Article Aims and Objectives 1.4...
Ben MackieJan 10, 20219 minWays in which a party wall surveyor can screw you over…This article looks at the behaviour of party wall surveyors, and how this can directly affect someone wishing to undertake work in...
Ben MackieJan 10, 20214 minParty Wall Fees: excessive fees and who paysThis article looks at probably the most contentious element of the party wall process: fees. Who pays them and how much is reasonable?...
Ben MackieJan 10, 20212 minAppealing a party wall awardBefore describing briefly how to lodge an appeal, it is important to understand what you are getting into. An appeal is an expensive...
Ben MackieJan 10, 20217 minWhy party wall ambulance chasing is a piss poor thing to do…What they do There are surveyors who look for recently submitted planning applications. They will then write to your neighbours informing...
Ben MackieJan 10, 20215 minParty wall fixed fees – fixing a problem or part of a problem?Party wall surveyor’s fees are contentious and often the source of friction. Surveyors argue all the time as to what is reasonable. It is...
Ben MackieDec 28, 20205 minFurther inspections – a further unnecessary expense?This article looks at the common practice of Party Wall Awards authorising further inspections once work in pursuance of the Act has been...
Ben MackieDec 28, 20204 minKeeping party wall costs downThis article gives ten suggestions which can help you to save money when dealing with party wall matters. If just one of these...
Ben MackieNov 9, 20204 minHow to sack your party wall surveyor…It is well documented that you cannot sack your party wall surveyor, but this article challenges that. The definition of ‘sack’ is to...